RWC veterans to be dumped.
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@booboo said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:
@Stargazer said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:
RTS will probably not make the RWC squad. Should never have been capped.
Can't say I agree.
Squaddie.
2nd best 12
Behind J. Barrett, ALB, Havili and - when fit again - probably also behind Tupaea.
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It's certainly not a 2007, nor 2015 type squad. We don't have the depth, nor the amount of fit, experienced, awesome players. Unfortunately some journeymen are going to fill spots.
You could write a number of names that have a track record of disappointing results but in the absence of compelling alternatives, will still participate.
As much as I love Coles, his body is calling time and we finally have some quality youngsters coming through.
Lock depth is a enormous drop off. Pat T. has never stood up as we'd all hoped. Others are a year or two off. We have to hope that Whitelock, Retallick and Scott get through unscathed.
Sam Cane is a warrior who should be another three inches taller and playing blindside.
Scrumhalf's we've seen the last of TJP. With an ounce of luck at least one of Christie and Webber will be replaced.
No one will replace our first two choice five eighths because they won't get the opportunity at SR level.
Centres are a case of "don't get injured". Goodhue's body isn't fit for Test rugby anymore it seems. Anyone other reasonable prospect appears to be fragile. There's our first choice pairing and then an abyss.
Wings are another area short of competition.
Fullback is open to anyone fit. At this stage that's Stevenson.
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@Stargazer said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:
@booboo said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:
@Stargazer said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:
RTS will probably not make the RWC squad. Should never have been capped.
Can't say I agree.
Squaddie.
2nd best 12
Behind J. Barrett, ALB,
Haviliand - when fit again - probably also behindTupaea.I'll agree to 3rd
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Going back to @BartMan 's original post...
... do we add Andy Haden to the '86 guys who missed '87?
Can't recall his last test ... was it '85 or '86?
Given Zinny Brooke and Bernie McCahill debuted, who did they come in for?
Mike Brewer missed out didn't he? Was he injured?
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@Stargazer said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:
@Duluth Blackadder's main position is not 7. He only played there for the Crusaders because Christie was injured and because they had Matera at 6 (when Grace returned from injury). He's mainly a 6, who can easily slot in at 7 and also plays at 8.
The thing is that if everyone was fit last year Razor would’ve had rocks in his head if he didn’t play the below in the big games:
6-Matera
7-Blackadder
8-GraceChristie is a standout NPC player that is a good SR player. To me he’s not starter material when we have those other players.
But between Gardiner, Grace, Blackadder and Christie, we always have someone if not two, in the hospital ward.
Back on topic: Laulala, Ofa, Moody and Coles in trouble I reckon.
Cane will be there but he may not be a starter come RWC.
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@booboo said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:
Going back to @BartMan 's original post...
... do we add Andy Haden to the '86 guys who missed '87?
Can't recall his last test ... was it '85 or '86?
Given Zinny Brooke and Bernie McCahill debuted, who did they come in for?
Mike Brewer missed out didn't he? Was he injured?
Zinny potentially in for the retired Jock Hobbs? Not strictly like for like though. You could say Michael Jones was more of the Hobbs replacement. Yes, Brewer missed out due to injury, much like 1991. Zinny probably in for him.
Arthur Stone played the last two tests in 1986 so arguably McCahill in for him?
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@KiwiMurph said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:
S Frizell (if Blackadder is the starting 6 Frizell may be at risk).
I'd say with the form of Barrett, Retallick, Blackadder and Sotutu - Firzzel is a tough push in a limited squad.
But....Foster.
Personally, I'm not convinced Cane couldn't do the same job as Frizzel.
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@BartMan said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:
OK, we have a thread on bolters. How about the other end of the spectrum?
1987 saw Mark Shaw and Gary Knight axed (off the top of my head), . 2011, Sivivatu and Rokocoko. 2019, Owen Franks. And I'm sure there were many more, I just can't be arsed looking them up.
Soooooo, who do ya reckon?
CANDIDATES...? I'll get this started.
Sam Cane? Still has zero ball running chops, tackles like a 6 all day, but that's it.
Dane Coles? If he's not injured, he's just recovered from injury or is about to be injured. Spends more time on physio table then on the field.Who else?
Sadly Colesy is cooked. Aumua on form over him any day. I’d still have him as next man up though due to experience.
The way Beaudy is playing, he’s a ? for me. What probably saves him is his ability to cover both 10/15 and his experience.
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@sparky said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:
Richie Mo'unga. Great in Super Rugby, but not a Test Match Animal.
Sevu Reece. Too small for RWC.Lol. So drop Richie for who? I'm no fan but we've got no one to replace him. Beaudy had gone backwards, so gotta be jordie then - at least he has RWC ten experience 🙄
Reece too small? World's best winger last year Cheslin says hi.
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@Bones said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:
@KiwiMurph said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:
S Frizell (if Blackadder is the starting 6 Frizell may be at risk).
I'd say with the form of Barrett, Retallick, Blackadder and Sotutu - Firzzel is a tough push in a limited squad.
But....Foster.
Personally, I'm not convinced Cane couldn't do the same job as Frizzel.
I think Frizzle would be there for his lineout work as well as his carrying, though Blackadder I think presents a bloody strong case for 6.
I might be in minority here , but Cane is still the kind of 7 I presonally want at test level, and would be picking him.
BB I wonder about always thought he good etc, looks average at moment in super, but I guess we don't need to be picking players on round 1-7 form at super (Richie McCaw might have been dropped id that was case), but anyway genuinely wonder if it's his generaliseship (made up word) that counts for a lot, he seems to be the one the backline looks to for advice/leadership when things are not going well? Just an impression I have. -
Coles is at risk, but I won't be surprised if he makes it - with a caveat that I haven't watched him this year.
Guys who are listed in the current squad on the AB site who don't make my team if everyone is fit:
Aidan Ross, Akira Ioane, Angus Taávao, Braydon Ennor, Folau Fakatava, Jack Goodhue (sadly), Josh Lord, Big Leicester, Nepo Laulala, Patrick Tuipolotu, Pita Gus Sowakula, RTS,
There's a few others in dogfights., ,
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@sparky said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:
Sevu Reece. Too small for RWC.
Nah. We’ve never seen him rag dolled or dominated in a tackle. And yet we see him consistently break tackles and defensively he knows how to win the ball.
I think there a massive question marks on what our best back 3 is, which is another issue.
@Canes4life I think Beaudie is safe. But again it’s a question of whether Fozzie goes back to him as the starting 1st 5, plays him at FB or is the bench option.
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jeez, lots of names flying around...kind of make me excited for 2024 onwards, fresh start etc
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@booboo said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:
.. do we add Andy Haden to the '86 guys who missed '87?
No Haden last played in 85 but really wasn't a regular pick after the Lions tour in 83. Only played 4 tests over the next two years.
Haden used to tell a story of being advised to get fit for the 87 RWC
because St John's were recruitiing First Aiders.
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@KiwiMurph said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:
@Nevorian said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:
What’s happening with ALB? Is he likely to be fit?
Injured his ankle week 1 vs Crusaders. Due back very soon I think.
Injury prone is putting it mildly. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't make it to France due to injury
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